Variable Pricing Plan Has Left Australian Football League Attendance Lagging

Australian Football League fans "are continuing to vote with their feet" about the AFL's new variable pricing for games, "with lower-than-expected crowds again a theme in round two of the new season," according to Rohan Connolly of THE AGE. AFL Fans Association President Brian Clarke said that the new system "was clearly not working and must be scrapped." Clarke: "We've had dozens tell us they can no longer afford to go." While the relaunch of football at Adelaide Oval "was a success," fans "continued to stay away from games in Melbourne." Only 19,640 fans attended Etihad Stadium on Saturday for St. Kilda's game against Greater Western Sydney -- less than the crowd for Melbourne Victory's A-League game the same evening (THE AGE, 3/30).